Author: Visaho Delson

Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh will remain closed to commercial flights until at least 17 October after a series of Houthi missile and drone attacks that killed more than 20 people and injured hundreds.

The strikes, claimed by the Iran-backed group, marked the third consecutive day of assaults on the capital’s main aviation hub. Aviation authorities issued notices grounding both domestic and international operations while damage assessments continue.

Houthi officials warned the United States against joining any Saudi-led military response, threatening “swift and painful” retaliation against American interests in the region. President Donald Trump stated that Washington was weighing options after the latest attacks. Regional airlines have already cancelled dozens of flights and diverted aircraft to alternative hubs in Jeddah and Dammam.

The assaults have heightened concerns over the security of critical infrastructure in the Gulf and the wider implications for global oil shipping routes.

Saudi officials said air-defence systems intercepted the majority of incoming projectiles, yet several still caused casualties and structural damage near the airport perimeter. Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the renewed fighting in Yemen appear to have stalled.

International carriers are monitoring the situation closely, with several European and Asian airlines suspending services to Riyadh until further notice. Analysts say the prolonged closure could disrupt pilgrimage traffic and commercial logistics in the coming weeks if the security environment does not improve.

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru on Tuesday formally declared her intention to run for the presidency in 2032 while signalling readiness to serve as a running mate in the 2027 general election.

Speaking in Nairobi, she said she had the resources, experience and national network required to contest the highest office. Waiguru framed her long-term ambition as part of a broader plan to strengthen women’s participation in national leadership.

The governor, who is serving her second term, said she would first focus on supporting the current administration’s development agenda before positioning herself for higher office. She dismissed suggestions that her declaration was premature, arguing that early clarity helps build organisational structures and public support. Political analysts noted that her move adds a new dimension to the already crowded field of potential 2027 contenders.

Supporters in Kirinyaga and parts of the Mount Kenya region have already begun circulating messages of endorsement. Waiguru’s statement comes amid intensifying realignments within both the ruling party and opposition ranks ahead of next year’s polls. She insisted that her primary goal remains delivering results for residents of her county while preparing for the national stage.

Opposition figures reacted cautiously, with some welcoming the entry of another strong female voice and others questioning the timing. Waiguru said she would unveil a detailed roadmap for her political future in the coming months after consulting grassroots leaders across the country.

The Court of Appeal on Tuesday lifted conservatory orders that had suspended a multi-billion-shilling health cooperation framework between Kenya and the United States. A three-judge bench ruled that continued suspension risked irreversible harm to patients who depend on programmes covered by the arrangement.

The judges noted that public interest in uninterrupted medical services outweighed the concerns raised by the petitioners at this stage.
The deal, valued at more than Sh328 billion, covers areas including HIV treatment, maternal health, disease surveillance and medical research collaboration.

Human rights groups had obtained the earlier orders after arguing that certain data-sharing clauses could compromise patient privacy. The appellate court found that adequate safeguards exist and that the lower court had not fully considered the potential impact on ongoing treatment programmes.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale welcomed the ruling and said the ministry would immediately resume implementation while addressing any remaining transparency concerns. Civil society organisations said they would study the full judgment before deciding whether to seek further review at the Supreme Court. Patient advocacy groups, however, expressed relief that critical drug supply chains would no longer face disruption.

Legal analysts observed that the decision sets an important precedent on the balance between public health urgency and constitutional litigation. The government has been directed to file regular progress reports on the implementation of privacy protections contained in the agreement.

President William Ruto on Tuesday commissioned a Sh2.512 billion last-mile electrification programme targeting more than 12,000 households in Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo counties.

The projects form part of the government’s broader push to raise national electricity connectivity above 90 percent before the next general election. Speaking in Marakwet East, the President said reliable power would open new opportunities for small businesses, schools and health centres in the region.

The scheme will extend the national grid to remote villages that have relied on solar lanterns and diesel generators for years. Officials from the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation confirmed that construction of transformers and distribution lines has already begun in several locations.

Local leaders welcomed the investment, describing it as a long-overdue boost for economic activity in the North Rift.
Residents who spoke at the launch site said access to electricity would allow them to run irrigation pumps, refrigerate milk and keep shops open later into the evening.

Women groups in particular expressed hope that power would ease the burden of collecting firewood and improve security after dark. The President directed implementing agencies to complete the connections within the next 18 months.

Government data shows that similar last-mile projects completed in other counties have already raised average household incomes by supporting micro-enterprises. Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said the North Rift package is one of several planned for arid and semi-arid areas still lagging behind in connectivity.

Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company has announced a 24-hour interruption of water supply that will affect residents in more than a dozen neighbourhoods starting Tuesday evening.
The shutdown is necessary to allow urgent maintenance on a major pipeline and pumping station that serves the western and central parts of the city. Estates expected to go dry include Westlands, Kilimani, Kibera, Parklands, Lavington and parts of Dagoretti.

Company officials said the work involves replacing ageing valves and repairing a section of the transmission line that has been leaking for several weeks. They advised households and businesses to store enough water and use it sparingly until the system is fully restored. Hospitals and critical facilities have been given priority access to alternative supply tankers during the outage.

Residents in the affected areas expressed frustration, noting that similar interruptions have become more frequent in recent months. Some landlords and estate managers have already begun rationing water from boreholes and rooftop tanks to cushion tenants.

City Hall has urged calm and promised that the repairs will improve long-term reliability once completed.
Engineers are expected to work through the night and complete the job by Wednesday evening if no unforeseen complications arise.

Nairobi Water has set up a dedicated hotline for residents to report any residual supply problems after the system is switched back on.

Delegates at the international climate summit in Geneva reached a breakthrough agreement on Sunday to significantly increase funding for climate adaptation in developing nations. The deal commits wealthier countries to mobilise an additional 50 billion dollars annually by 2030, with a special focus on Africa and small island states.

Kenyan representatives played an active role in the final negotiations, pushing for clear timelines and transparent monitoring mechanisms. Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya described the outcome as “a step in the right direction” that will support communities already facing more frequent droughts and floods.

Civil society groups monitoring the talks welcomed the financial pledges but cautioned that previous commitments have often fallen short of targets. They called for independent oversight to ensure funds reach the most vulnerable populations.

The agreement also includes provisions for technology transfer and capacity building. Implementation plans are expected to be finalised at a follow-up meeting scheduled for early 2027.

Work on the expanded 40,000-seat stadium in Eldoret is more than 90 percent complete, with final finishing touches expected by the end of November. The facility will host matches during the upcoming regional football tournament and is set to become a major sports hub for the North Rift.

County and national sports officials inspected the site on Friday and expressed satisfaction with progress on the floodlights, changing rooms and media centre. Local athletes have already begun training on the new athletic track surrounding the main pitch.

Residents living near the stadium said they hope the development will create jobs and boost small businesses during tournament periods. Construction workers from Uasin Gishu and neighbouring counties have been employed throughout the project.

Organisers confirmed that ticket sales for the opening matches will begin online next month. The stadium is also expected to host community events and school competitions once the international fixtures conclude.

Fishermen operating on Lake Victoria in Kisumu County have endorsed newly gazetted safety regulations that require all vessels to carry life jackets, fire extinguishers and functional communication radios. The rules, introduced by the Kenya Maritime Authority, take effect immediately.

Association leaders said the measures will reduce the high number of drowning incidents that claim dozens of lives each year. Training sessions on basic navigation and emergency response began this week at the Kisumu port and will continue in Homa Bay and Siaya counties.

Boat owners noted that the cost of compliance remains a concern for small-scale operators. The county government has promised a subsidy programme to help cover equipment purchases for registered groups.

Officials stressed that random inspections will increase in the coming months and that vessels found without the required gear face impoundment. Fisherfolk representatives said they look forward to safer working conditions on the lake.

Relief supplies of maize flour, cooking oil and water purification tablets arrived in Lodwar this week as the national government steps up support for families affected by prolonged dry conditions in Turkana.

The consignment, coordinated by the Ministry of Interior and the Kenya Red Cross, is expected to benefit more than 15,000 households.

Local leaders said many pastoralists have lost significant portions of their livestock herds after successive failed rainy seasons. Community elders in Kakuma and Lokichoggio expressed gratitude for the aid while calling for longer-term solutions such as improved water pans and drought-resistant fodder crops.

Meteorologists at the Kenya Meteorological Department noted that short rains are expected later this month, though amounts may remain below average in the north-western region. County officials have begun mapping vulnerable villages for additional cash transfers under the Hunger Safety Net Programme.

Health workers warned that malnutrition rates among children under five remain elevated and urged parents to bring young ones to mobile clinics for screening. Further distributions are scheduled for the coming fortnight.

Nairobi County officials today unveiled a dedicated green bus corridor along Mombasa Road, stretching from the city centre to Syokimau. The project, funded jointly by the county government and a World Bank grant, aims to cut travel times for public transport users by up to 40 percent during peak hours.

The corridor features exclusive lanes for high-capacity buses, new shelters equipped with solar lighting, and real-time digital display boards showing arrival information. County Governor Johnson Sakaja said the initiative forms part of a broader plan to reduce private car use and improve air quality in the capital.

Commuters who tested the route this morning reported smoother journeys and fewer delays caused by matatus weaving between lanes. Traffic police have been deployed to enforce the new rules, with fines already issued to several vehicles found using the restricted lanes.

Environmental groups welcomed the move but urged authorities to expand the network to other major routes such as Thika Road and Ngong Road before the end of the year. Officials confirmed that construction on the next phase will begin in January 2027.